ABUJA — Public primary and secondary schools in all six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory were shut from Wednesday as teachers began an indefinite strike called by the FCT Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by Comrade Stephen Knabayi. The strike followed the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum. The teachers are demanding the removal of the vacancy requirement for promotion, the inclusion of teachers eligible in 2025 in the promotion exam, the withdrawal of redeployment letters issued to directors affected by the harmonised retirement age law, and the dissolution of the management of the Secondary Education Board and Universal Basic Education Board. Daily Trust reporters who visited schools in Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Idu-Koro found gates locked and pupils sent home. The FCT PTA chairman, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to bring both sides together. However, the FCT chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools described the strike as premature and told secondary school teachers to report for work.